Wikipedia has an interesting history about Valentine’s Day. It might spark some unique Valentine ideas for your sweetheart. What’s your favorite? A store-bought greeting card? Homemade Valentine? Chocolate? Handcrafted item? Jewelry?

What if your sweetheart romance is long distance? If your budget is tight, think small and light weight so the item can be packed in a bubble mailer or small box. And ship early – at least five to six days ahead to most US locations. Stores like Pak Mail offer packing and shipping services for items big or small, fluffy or fragile. Professional shipping staff can help you choose the most cost-effective method to ensure your Valentine arrives safely and on time.

Quick tips for Valentine shipping:

• Keep all receipts for gifts purchased.
• Come prepared. Information includes:
  • Ship-to name, address, & phone number;
  • Contents of the package being shipped;
  • Which items are fragile;
  • Value of the item(s) being shipped; and
  • When you would like the package to arrive.
• Ship a week ahead of Valentine’s Day.
• Perfume, wine, and liquor cannot be shipped.
• International & APO shipments require an itemized contents list for customs.

Shipping guarantees can be interrupted by inclement weather, so ship as early as possible to allow for possible delays.

Happy Valentine’s Day from Pak Mail!

The holiday season is once again upon us. Pak Mail offers packing and shipping services. You do the shopping and gift wrapping… we’ll do the rest! We’ll choose the most cost-effective method to ensure your holiday treasures arrive safely and on time.

Quick tips for Christmas present shipping:

• Keep all receipts for gifts purchased.
• Come prepared. Information includes:
  • Ship-to name, address, & phone number;
  • Contents of the package being shipped;
  • Which items are fragile;
  • Value of the item(s) being shipped; and
  • When you would like the package to arrive.
• Ship early in the season.
• Perfume, wine, and liquor cannot be shipped.
• International & APO shipments require an itemized contents list for customs.
• Shipping guarantees can be interrupted by inclement weather, so ship as early as possible to allow for possible delays.
• There are no deliveries on Christmas Day.

We’ll help make the process simple and easy!

Let the games begin! Thanksgiving is this week along with Black Friday and lots of shoppers. Our shipping store is decorated and extended holiday hours are posted. Our winter holiday ducks are in a row!

We have holiday tips for packing and shipping gifts from Colorado Springs. We stock a variety of boxes and packing materials for the “do-it-yourselfer.” Or we can free up your time for some holiday baking and safely pack your gifts for you. The gifts will be on their way to loved ones and you can check something off your list.

Do you want Santa to put your long-distance gifts under the tree on December 24? Here is a simple guide for 2013 Holiday Shipping Deadlines for UPS, FedEx, and DHL:

Mexico / Canada (DHL, UPS, FedEx)
Remember to allow for customs clearance.
Monday, December 16, or earlier

Domestic US (UPS, FedEx)
Ship earlier in the month if possible to allow for bad weather delays.
Tuesday, December 17 – Ground (1- to 6-day transit time)
Thursday, December 19 – 3-Day Air
Friday, December 20 or Saturday, December 21 – 2-Day Air
Monday, December 23 – Next Day Air

As 2013 rapidly draws to a close I find myself thankful. For what? My family, our health, a spunky going-on-3-year-old grandson, friends, a thriving business, creativity, travel plans… the list is long.

My hubby Jim and our son Jesse recently managed Pak Mail 232 sans “the boss,” making it possible for me to join my siblings for a long weekend in North Carolina in celebration of our parents’ 65 years of marriage!

Jim’s and my decision in 1975 to leave the East Coast and move to Colorado (Dad called us pioneers) forced us with our two sons to create our own holiday traditions. Instead of traveling the miles during the holidays, we made or purchased gifts for long-distance family and friends. Of course, then we had to ship them. The decision in 2008 to purchase our Colorado Springs packing and shipping store now keeps us home for the holidays for a different reason – shipping holiday gifts for our customers to their loved ones. Little did we know!

2013 Minck Family Portrait

A simple message to our customers – thanks!

We witnessed the devastation of the Waldo Canyon and Black Forest Fires; several of our customers lost their homes. We have all been touched in some way by these tragic events.

Each year in September the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) pays tribute to US and Canadian fire fighters and paramedics who have given their lives in the line of duty. This ceremonial service is conducted at the IAFF Fallen Fire Fighter Memorial and Wall of Honor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and includes the presentation of memorial flags to family members of the honorees.

A couple of days before this year’s ceremony we were asked by a local fire fighter to provide a collection point and subsequent packing and shipping of 137 memorial flags. What an honor… and humbling experience. Thank you.

It’s that time of year… summer is waning and students are heading off to school. College freshman and upper classmen alike are wondering what they should take with them. The list includes bedding, books, computers, toys, and sports equipment, to name a few. If the college doesn’t provide a “to-do” list, there are plenty of resources online – College Packing List and Dorm Room Checklist are just two of them. A list like one of these can help simplify the process of gathering belongings needed for the school year        .

Once all the items are collected, the next question is how to pack and ship them. Some simple steps to follow are:

1. Make a complete list of all items including the value of each.
2. Separate the fragile items from the non-fragile ones.
   – Don’t pack glassware and computer equipment wrapped in clothing or bedding.
3. Pack similar non-fragile items together for easy unpacking in the dorm or apartment.
   – Don’t make the boxes too heavy; you might have to carry them up a few flights.
   – Pack books in smaller boxes no larger that 16”x16”x16”.
   – Pack bedding or clothing in boxes that are easy to carry 18”x18”x18” or 20”x20”x20”.
4. Pack fragile items allowing for at least 2″ of protective packaging materials around all dimensions.
5. Decide whether you’ll move the boxes with the family car or ship them.
6. Check with the college about receiving and storing a shipment until the student arrives.
7. Ship with a reliable carrier with tracking and declared value coverage.

If you decide to ship, choose a professional packing and shipping store. They can assist with the packing, especially the fragile items, and help determine the most cost-effective shipping method. If the load is small (two or three boxes), UPS or FedEx ground service will probably do. If the shipment is larger (all items needed for a dorm room or small apartment), LTL freight on a pallet will most likely be more economical.

College student shipping – their stuff, that is – can be simple and easy. Get that part of the “leaving home” process out of the way and enjoy some time together before the big day.